Is the Cost of Living in Guam High or Low? A Guide to the Estimated Expenses for Your Trip
When traveling abroad, you might wonder about the local prices and whether you are paying too much. Also, before your trip, you may want to know roughly how much cash to set aside for souvenirs, meals, optional tours, and so on.
In this article, we provide an overview of the prices and expenses you can expect in Guam. Please use this as a reference for your next Guam trip.
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Is the Cost of Living in Guam High or Low? A Guide to the Estimated Expenses for Your Trip
1. Are Guam’s Prices Cheap or Expensive?
In fact, prices in Guam are somewhat high. They are by no means cheap. This is largely because Guam is an island, so everything is imported from the U.S. mainland.
Also, as a tourist destination, the prices in tourist areas tend to be somewhat elevated. However, because Guam operates as a free port (duty-free) for imported goods, luxury brand items are often available at lower prices than in your country, making it a shopper’s paradise.
Guam does not have a consumption tax, but some stores charge an additional 6% GRT (Gross Receipts Tax). This sales tax is not collected in a uniform way – it depends on the vendor and may be shown as either included or excluded in the price, or sometimes even borne by the vendor.
Also, since tipping is customary in Guam, you should factor that into your expenses. As a guideline, tip around 10–15%. For example, if your family meal costs 100 U.S. dollars, then a tip of 10–15 U.S. dollars is expected. Remember, tipping is a gesture of appreciation and the local custom, so include it as part of your overall travel expenses.
2. Transportation Costs
Of course, transportation is necessary when you go out for sightseeing, shopping, or dining. For taxis, the base fare is 2.40 USD, plus about 4 USD for the first approximately 1.8 km, and then an additional 80 cents for every 0.46 km thereafter. Also, if you have large luggage, in addition to the usual tip, consider tipping an extra 1 USD per piece of luggage.
For shuttle buses, the “Red Shuttle Bus” costs about 4 USD per ride per person. There are also free pass options available, so you can purchase one based on the frequency of your use; a one-day unlimited ride pass costs about 10 USD.
Rental cars, depending on the car type and other factors, are about 70–90 USD per day. Consider your travel style and choose the transportation method that best suits your needs.
3. Food Expenses
Of course, during your travels, meals are an important consideration for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If your package tour includes a hotel breakfast buffet, it is convenient to take advantage of it. If you dine at a famous restaurant for both lunch and dinner each time, lunch might cost around 10 USD per person, and dinner could be about 40–50 USD per person.
Keep in mind that when dining out, tipping is generally expected. However, if you see “Service Charge” on your bill – meaning the service fee has already been included – then you do not need to tip further.
If you would like to reduce your food costs a bit, consider visiting fast food outlets or convenience stores. Additionally, at Chamorro Village, where locals gather, there are food stalls offering meals for about 6 USD per person. These stalls operate on Wednesday and Friday nights.
◎ Summary
How did you find the information on Guam’s prices and expenses? Prices in Guam are slightly higher than those in your country. It’s understandable that prices are elevated when goods are imported from the U.S. mainland. However, since Guam is duty-free, imported goods can often be purchased at lower prices than in your country, which explains why many visitors come for the shopping.
Depending on your travel style, consider your transportation options and the restaurants you will be dining at.
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